Path of Exile 2's first major update, Dawn of the Hunt (patch 0.2.0), arrives on 4 April 2025, and it's shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the game. This patch, which will be fully revealed in a livestream on 27 March 2025, promises a flood of new content - think new classes, ascendancies, weapons, skills and more. But beyond the shiny new additions, it's also Grinding Gear Games' (GGG) first big chance to tackle the chaotic state of Early Access. Fasten your seatbelts, because this could either solidify PoE 2 as a fresh evolution, or leave it in the shadow of its predecessor. Here's what's at stake and what to expect.
What's in store?
Let's start with the fun stuff. Dawn of the Hunt is set to deliver a hefty dose of new toys for players to play with:
Huntress Class: Confirmed via teasers, this spear-wielding, dex-based class blends melee and ranged combat. Expect a fast, fluid play style that could shake up build diversity.
New Ascendancies: Hints suggest additions like a minion-focused Mercenary path and maybe even a fiery Warrior blacksmith. More options, more chaos.
Weapons and gems: Spears are back, along with new skill and support gems. Whirling Slash and other spear skills could open up new build paths.
Story and Endgame: Act 4 could replace the awkward Cruel difficulty, while new passive tree nodes and crafting tweaks aim to deepen progression.
It's a loot piñata, no doubt. But while these additions make me itch to dive back in, they're not the real headline of this update - at least not for anyone paying attention to PoE 2's rocky Early Access ride.
What is PoE 2 trying to be?
At the moment, Path of Exile 2 feels like it has a split personality. The campaign (Acts 1-3) delivers on years of hype: slow, methodical combat with meaty boss fights that demand attention. It's the ARPG glow we were promised. Then you hit the endgame, and it's like someone flipped a switch - monsters hit harder than campaign bosses, packs charge like freight trains, and the pace goes full PoE 1 zoomfest. Is this intentional, or an oversight in balance? We don't know, and that's the problem.
GGG originally planned frequent early access patches to fix bugs and tweak mechanics. They started strong—fixing crashes and nerfing busted builds like Archmage Herald shenanigans—but the nerfs sparked backlash. Players who relied on creator guides were burned, stuck with gutted characters and no cheap way to get respec. Gold respec costs remained high, and instead of adapting, GGG pivoted hard. They scrapped the drip-feed patches for big, league-style updates like Dawn of the Hunt. It's a bold move, treating Early Access like a finished product, but it's left the game's identity unclear.
Balance on the Line
The endgame's current state—white mobs out-damaging bosses, spiky one-shots everywhere—clashes with what GGG's shown us over years of demos. At ExileCon 2023, dev Rory Rackham talked about a slower pace: less regeneration, more "windows of danger" after big hits, no instant death. This philosophy sounds great - combat where skill matters, not just raw speed or recovery. But today's PoE 2 endgame? It's PoE 1 on steroids, minus the polish.
Patch 0.2.0 could be the solution. If GGG dials back the monster damage, smooths out the pacing, and leans into that deliberate combat vibe, it'll feel like the game they've been pitching. Or they could double down on the fast-and-furious style, making PoE 2 a souped-up PoE 1.5. Either way works - slow and tactical would be my pick for something fresh - but they've got to choose a path. The patch notes after the reveal will spill the beans, even if the 27 March livestream skirts around the issue.
Why it matters
It's not just about new content, it's about trust. Early access is a gamble - players expect hiccups, but they also want clarity about where the game is going. Right now, PoE 2 feels like it's teetering between two visions. Dawn of the Hunt could settle on one direction, win back sceptics and set the stage for a killer full release. Fluff it, and the goodwill from this stellar campaign could start to fray.
What to Watch For
Pacing Fixes: Will endgame mobs chill out, or are we staying in hyper-speed territory?
Player agency: A tweak to the respec cost (even if only temporary) could mitigate balance shifts.
New League Vibes: Rumours of a Dawn of the Hunt league mechanic could tie it all together - a fresh start, a fresh economy.
The reveal's days away, and I'm hyped—nervous, but hyped. This patch could be the moment PoE 2 finds its soul, or doubles down on chaos. Either way, it's a turning point.
Thanks for Reading
That's the scoop on Dawn of the Hunt and why it's more than just a content drop. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for the latest as we head towards the reveal and launch. What's your take—slow and steady, or fast and wild? Let us know!
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